Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Secret Recorder

An interesting e-mail. It seems to check out:

I happened to be at one of the Area garages because my top of the line chariot needed some work and my partner and I noticed a Tahoe that had been in a nasty crash. Doors were bent, windows were broken, frame was twisted. And there were a hell of a lot of wires hanging around the dashboard. I recognized some of them - PDT, camera, siren box, GPS, etc. But there was a set of wires I wasn't sure about. So I asked the garage guy why the extra wiring. His reply? "That's to the in-car voice recorder."

I asked if he meant the camera microphones. He said no. Every camera-equipped car is wired to a second voice recorder separate from the camera system. It goes to another drive that records everything in the car in case there's some "emergency" situation where they need to know what happened in the car. "Emergency" like a copper is attacked by a prisoner or passerby and they need to find out who he was dealing with or maybe a copper is accused of some misconduct and dragged out in cuffs.

Be aware boys and girls. You are almost always on video somewhere. Now you may be on audio, too.

Hey SCCdid anybody tell you about how Jesse Jackson tied up 1 engine, 1 Tower ladder, a crash Rig, 2 squad vehicles, a Batt. Chief, Dist Chief and DDC for over an hour plus a Ambo dedicated to him and his wife to take them to Northwestern last week.

It seems the Mrs. fell and broke her leg while on a trip to Africa. Jesse would not acknowledge the white firemen helping her from the plane the racist bastard.

Also the US Customs had to personally come onto the plane because it was too much trouble to have to go thru customs like the "little people". Since when did Jesse and his family become royalty? And is it that the CFD has a black commissioner that they have to treat jesse like a king?

I remember not too long ago I used to fight for the newer cars with nice PDT's and stuff..... Since the tahoe came out I was so glad when someone crashed it - they weren't hurt-- and got an old squad with dome lights, smells like crap, runs like crap but I love it! Don't trust anything given to me by jfed.... Like a wooden horse that was rolled into the station lot.... You know what I mean.

I'm from a cop family. All retired now. Most are gone. I have no one to ask on the QT. Why can't an officer under some disciplinary review ask to have his reviewer's blackberry transcripts to review for litigation. City equipment, so no presumption of confidentiality would apply, right? I bet a bunch of crapola would drop right off the table's edge [not to mention a few jaws] if some instructions from on high on how to protect one officer and hang another came to light. Conspiracy is a heavy word, and hoisting some gold stars on their own petards would probably end a bunch of BS. As you protect us, may you all be protected, from whatever foe there be.

I thought Illinois was a state where you need both parties consent to recorded their conversations? Obviously, a judge can superscede this if there's probable cause. I think they were pulling your leg.

Trotskyite Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky will hold a Healthcare Town Hall meeting at Niles West HS, 31 Aug 09, 6:30PM. They plan to pack the hall with red goons and stooges from SEIU,ACORN,etc....They're also going to bus in some seniors they control who live in public housing to sing the praises of bolshevism.

Make a point to attend! Bring your parents and children! We can outnumber these bolsheviks at their own event!

Dress well, bring critical but non-offensive signs,and DON'T let them bait you into any inappropriate confrontations! These are cunning leftists who will try to provoke an incident for the cameras.

I guess being an alderman has it's perks...currently there is a man named Wilfredo Gines who has been reported missing after he hasn't been seen for a few days. No problem with making a report about him being missing but the kicker is that he wasn't reported missing by HIS WIFE but by the grandmother of his children (not his mother in law) who is...Alderman JoAnn Thompson.

From what I heard she called the mayor..who directed Weis..who directed Jackson..who directed Byrne..who directed Wysinger..who directed Walsh to put at least eight detectives on the case to look for this man who is only the daddy of this alderman grandchildren. And they made it an immediate action.

I bet if he's found dead somewhere outside of the city they are going to direct us to handle that investigation.

It seems that the person who posted your "lead story" amounts to nothing more than being paranoid to a certain extent. The secondary mic is totally bullshit and the guy at fleet doesn't have a clue either by giving our guys fraudulent information.

Fact is, there is a mic in the camera system that does not function, never has, never will.

So SCC, I suggest to you as I have suggested to Fox 32 News, stop the half ass stories, learn the facts and since your the mainstream for communication in our department now, you owe it to those who read your blog some truthful info and not just bad rumors and hearsay.

this is what is called Eavesdropping and is Illegal by State Law. You must be informed and give consent, any time your conversation is being recorded. An individual havs the right to privacy by the U.S. Constitution, State, and Federal Laws. A Justice Department investigation is hereby called for. Where are you F[L]OP ???? Missing in Action as Usual. Under the blanket with Mayor Daley again????This whole audio recording of us in the name of officer safety is just another scam, by the Department, to circumvent our basic privacy rights, like the GPS Units installed in Squads to know where we are. The GPS Units, if the Dept. really cared, would be in our issued radios, that way if any of us were hurt chasing an offender 4 blocks from our Squad, we could be located quickly if an offender disabled us. If this latest Eavesdropping story is true, it should be considered a massive violation of our members rights, and investigated by the Feds, but then again, they are also corrupt, so I guess it will just be another freedom lost.

Did you expect anything less than from a fed in charge? WTF! They can say there is no expectation of privacy on company time! Be careful boys and girls this dept is going into the shitter faster than ever!

Im sorry, I dont believe it. I think there are some Cops that are very paranoid. Some, not all. This is just the next evolution in the paranoia.

Remember a few years ago, it was the story of the new radios that would secretly record your private conversatons in the car, even with the thing turned off?

There are eavesdropping laws, you just cant turn a recorder on to fish for something juicy.

In order to record someone there has to be some type of probable cause to do it in the first place right? Maybe ask somebody in Narcotics how they go about wires and phone taps. There has to be some standard met before taping/recording someone.

This is a lot of tech just to record some one say: *beware bad words approaching* ni&&er, $pic, or honkycracker m%ther f##ker

I dont belive it. To prove it I am going to say a lot of bad things in the car tonight. Im going to say a lot of very racist things, conspire to comit a felony and even worse against the government. I doubt anything will happen

I call bullshit, that is in violation of the Illinois Evesdropping law, the in car cameras are excepted by law. If what you say is true the Department would be committing a felony everytime the mics are activated. Although I don't put it past the stupidity of this group to do so I highly doubt it. Mics subject to a warrant are a different story, however.

For everyone who keeps attempting to quote the wiretapping statute, most of you are you right. Except for one thing, It only applys when there is an expectation of privacy. There isn't one when you are sitting in a police xar owned by the city. Also I beleive if the conversation was obtained illegally, it can't be used in a court of law, administartive hearings are different. It sounds like a good lawsuit waiting to be tested.

Okay, it's a city job and they can insist on these recording devices. But how come we're not demanding they put recording and video devices in the mayors's and alderman's offices; they too have city jobs with many more instances of corruption. As a matter of fact, since it's documented envelopes stuffed with cash were passed in City Hall bathrooms, how come they don't install vidoe and audio in the bathrooms? Imagine the comedy as a constipated alderman or mayor use a suppository and the resulting Mt. Vesuvious eruption live on your TV.

FYI Boys and Girls....The Lt's got NOTHING as far as money offered to them in their contract proposal....The Captains got NOTHING as far as money offered to them either....The FOP "Supposedly" has a 10% offer on the table.....If we get 10-12% I would be happy at this point.....what a shitty contract....never in my career have I seen such a travesty. 10%/4 years.

I am calling BS on this one. I have been working on cars for a very long time. With all the wires that these new cars have on them it is BS that you "saw a set of wires that you did not recognize". Am I to assume that you know what every wire on a new Tahoe is for. It would be impossible without a wiring diagram for you to know this. Stop spreading BS rumors!

Whoa whoa whoa, take it easy on SCC. To all the posters who are saying stop the "half ass reporting" and "find out the facts" need to read the last line, "Now you MAY be on audio too." It's a blog, for people to confirm or dismiss rumors that are heard. If there were no posts about rumors then there would be no blog. Be safe.

SFPD copper here- My brother is a cop with an agency that has a recording system that's tied in with their in-car cameras. The recorder turns on when their emergency lights are activated, ostensibly to back up officers in case of a lawsuit brought against them. Might this be a similar system? Someone at your Fleet office should confirm what the mechanic said.

thats fine, but if the city doesnt tell you about them they legally cannot use any recordings against you in administrative or criminal proceedings. in doing so they would violate your civil rights. the city has to advise you that you are being recorded and it has to be understood first.

I'm from a cop family. All retired now. Most are gone. I have no one to ask on the QT. Why can't an officer under some disciplinary review ask to have his reviewer's blackberry transcripts to review for litigation. City equipment, so no presumption of confidentiality would apply, right? I bet a bunch of crapola would drop right off the table's edge [not to mention a few jaws] if some instructions from on high on how to protect one officer and hang another came to light. Conspiracy is a heavy word, and hoisting some gold stars on their own petards would probably end a bunch of BS. As you protect us, may you all be protected, from whatever foe there be.

Where were you when I was jammed.... That is a very good idea. I don't know if you are a lawyer and I hope you are, please leave your name or some way to contact you. To many police officers are getting fucked over and fired for BS. And not one time did I ever hear a lawyer say lets pull the investigators Blackberry transcripts, emails, texts or phone call listing. SCC could please write on this.

Anonymous said...I thought Illinois was a state where you need both parties consent to recorded their conversations?****************************That's only where there is the expectation of privacy, which has been well hashed out in courts.

Since you're sitting in THEIR vehicle, you have no expectation of privacy. Even standing on the sidewalk, you have no expectation of privacy.

Just as you have no expectation of privacy in THEIR locker.

There is also no expectation of privacy in their restroom either, although only audio can be recorded there. So don't think you can talk shit whilst taking a shit and not be held accountable for it because you can.

OT - Copwatch, the ragtag band of Helen Shiller's socialists - NOT homeowners nor Yuppies - in Uptown, who film the police and put it on YouTube, were broken into and their video equipment was stolen. Today they held a pancake breakfast to raise funds to replace it. Karma's a bitch.

I call bullshit, that is in violation of the Illinois Evesdropping law, the in car cameras are excepted by law. If what you say is true the Department would be committing a felony everytime the mics are activated. Although I don't put it past the stupidity of this group to do so I highly doubt it. Mics subject to a warrant are a different story, however.

this is 100% true. there is no chance in hell that you can have an always running mic in a car recording conversations. this would be a huge violation of a number or laws. for all the people saying that its the departments vehicle and we are at work on the city time it doesnt matter. no matter what you are doing and where you are at you cannot have your conversations recorded without dual consent from the city and the officers. and if these "secret recordings" were brought against an officer it would never be admissible in criminal or departmental proceedings. if it was used the city could be sued for millions.. not just sued, but prosecuted criminally!! also, you cant have a warrant to put recorders in random cars or every car. you cant have a blanket warrant because there are hundreds of officers that use each car on differnt days and watches. this is a complete lie... and if it is true, still say whatever the heck you want because it cant be used in any type of proceedings anyways... unless the city wants to shoot themselves in the foot and present it.. scc, shame on you for even reporting this nonsense. its stuff like this that scared people and makes them more and more paranoid about this job.

Wow, so many people jumping on the eavesdropping statute as protection from in car audio recording. You need to do some more digging rather than just looking up the statute and applying it to this situation. If the statute alone where a defense, no one in illinois could ever be convicted of a crime in illinois using recordings.

On department property, or in a department owned vehicle, there is no expectation of privacy. You may want there to be, and claim that you expected the conversation to be private because you rolled up the windows, but the fact is the vehicle you're driving belongs to the city of chicago and they can record the events occuring within their property if they choose to do so.

When you're inside walmart, do they have a right to video record your presence there even though you are not a criminal and aren't stealing anything? When you walk inside is there a sign at every entrance informing you that you're being recorded? Nope.

When you're at the quickstop and you stand at the counter and they record you standing there, did they ask you first if you agree to be filmed at their establishment? Nope.

When you're standing inside one of these newer stations in the hallway and you're captured on video standing there, were you asked if you agreed to be recorded? Nope.

You may then reply, but I EXPECT to be recorded in Walmart, the Quickstop or in the station so I'm agreeing to it just by being there, otherwise I wouldn't be there. You then have to ask yourself, why do I expect to be recorded in these places? The answer should be something like "they use those cameras to secure their property in case something happens".

The reason they can do this is because they own the property and can record the goings on there 24 hours a day if they wish, and there's nothing that can be done to stop it. They don't need a warrant to record what goes on on their property as long as it doesn't record people in some state of undress.

So, the next question is: What's different about their station and their vehicle? Answer: nothing. They own both properties and can record within them for the same reasons, to have a record of what went on inside their property if it's needed later.

Just because you didn't expect there to be a recording device there doesn't mean they can't put one there, and they aren't required to notify you that they put one there, because they own the vehicle. If you are inside their property, they have a right to record what goes on inside their property. So there is no expectation that what you talk about inside or on their property to be private. It is not YOUR car they record in, it's theirs.

Point is, even though YOU expected the squad to be a private place it is in fact property belonging to the CPD and when presented in court, the reasonable man scenario has already been applied and they agree that you have no expectation of privacy within a department owned vehicle because the city owns the car, not you.

The eavesdropping statute only applies where there IS an expectation of privacy, such as a phone call to a private residence where you are not present to see whether anyone else is listening and it is reasonable to believe that the only person hearing you is the person on the other end of the line. Technically, using a speakerphone without the other person knowing it while others are present can be litigated the same way.

Bottom line, if you're on or in their property you have no expectation of privacy as long as it does not record you in a state of undress.

Employers! Their property, their employee. E-Mail their computers. Phones in facilities their phones. Right to privacy out the window. Also be aware that some Exempt have had covert cameras installed in certain offices as they deem necessary. To this administration we are the enemy and cannot be trusted.

The privacy and evesdropping law does not apply to any city or village police department nor their respectable vehicles. This is completely legal...although a bunch of crap! They aren't there for your safety which is is what is required to exempt the law! If anyone is brought up on a cr, union better step up.

He is yanking your chain. It is illegal to tape someone without their knowledge or consent unless there is a court order.-------------------------------Its entirely possible that you gave your consent without realizing it.

I remember back in the day, we thought all the pay phones in and around the station were recorded. Do you guys remember pay phones? Paranoia! Have you ever heard of one case where the evidence used against a PO was from an in car recorder or a station bugged phone? Relax, have fun. These are the best years of your life. Are you in deferred comp? That's what's really important.

Very simple.....The department will not reveal that you have been recorded. That way they wont have to justify legally why you were being recorded with out knowledge. Instead. The information obtained will be used against you off record if there was an investigation at that time. Basically you would get hammered for something else. Result would be the same. FIRED if thats what they wanted all along. (IF THERE IS A Densey Cole RECORDING IT WILL NEVER BE USED AGAINST THE OFFENDER. THAT WOULD REVEAL THAT THE AUDIO SYSTEM EXISTS.) The screwed up thing is that you wont have a chance to defend yourself of the "in car audio" because you wont ever know it was there. Truthfully, if you are a decent officer and not involved in any bullshit then there is nothing too be concerned about. Just occasional griping and shit about your girl. Just remember when you do get into that fight/wrestle match with that knucklehead you locked up dont get back into the car boasting about how long its been since you "knocked a mofo out" and " I wish I could of got in a few more before that guy with the cell phone showed up". Cause when the CR comes down you will be wondering why you got 30 days when you know the dude had it coming. Stay safe...

scc, what facts or information do you have to state yourself in the top line, "seems to check out". how do you figure? because somebody suffering from extreme paranoia told you so in an email? wow, we should start calling you abc7 or fox news. reporting without any type of facts. lets not forget a number of laws the city would be breaking by doing this. the city would be screwed if this were true, not to mention, whoevers idea it was and who ever reviewed it and listened would without a doubt be arrested and charged criminally. read the illinois eavesdropping law, its a little long but everything in that email goes completely against that law.... the city is dumb, but not that dumb. you my friend scc, have just taken a huge drink of the kool aid you so often yell at us for doing.

OK all you play-lawyers out there. Here are the facts: first, the in-car camera system does CONSTANTLY record VIDEO ONLY into a one-minute buffer. That means that when you turn on the mars lights the saved video begins one minute prior. Ask your watch commander to watch a video and you'll see that. The AUDIO does not begin recording until the lights are switched on. Again ask the WC to show you.

Second, under NO circumstances do you give up your right to privacy of voice communications just because you're in your employers vehicle. You can be recorded VISUALLY in public, but not ORALLY without a court order or your permission. Period. The only two exceptions in Illinois are for violation of a state traffic offense or if you're not a police officer and you think that you'll be recording a crime.

Third, the author of this post is full of shit. Didn't happen, won't happen. The only time it could is if specific officers are targeted and there's a court order and only the specific officer(s) can be monitored.

We have enough stuff to concern ourselves without you spreading this manure, SCC. It's as irresponsible as appointing an incompetent as commander of a Westside district.

Does anyone think they're gonna tell you you're being recorded. If you're under investigation for wrong doing, are they going to tell you.NO! Did they tell Ed V .no . did they tell alderman c. No! Do you think you're special.Its on a need to know bases. You dont need to know.IF YOU ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG DONT WORRY ABOUT IT! The in car camera does have a mic on the inside just turn up the volume when you test it, you'll get feed back. Thats how you can tell.Now leave it alone.. Got to get back to listening and watching all the uploads of you silly people. watch what you say. upload at the end of the tour, it keeps me employed.Paranoia set in yet! I have a bridge to sell you

I was there at Motor Maintenance as well. The mechanic told me that if you stop, put the car in neutral, then reverse then low drive, open the glove box, turn on the heat (blower on the second mark) slide the seat from front to back twice, unlock the passenger rear door and click your heels together and blink three times the car will become a hovercraft and lift you straight up and deposit you on the funny farm which is where anybody who buys this story belongs.

He is yanking your chain. It is illegal to tape someone without their knowledge or consent unless there is a court order.-------------------------------Its entirely possible that you gave your consent without realizing it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

How do you do that dumbo? Tell someone "oh ok, I will surrender my expectation of privacy for you to record me without my permission" then forget that you said it? I know that there is a lot of dubious info out there about everything under the sun, but some of you guys will fucking believe anything. Probably the same dopes who think Wikipedia is a reliable source of information.

well i dont steal and i dont beat people but i will say fuck you mr j-fed and fuck all you no ball supervisors, and fuck the girls on 21 and fuck the do nothings in the district, and oh yea it was a 45 min lunch.now take the mic out, your wasting your time on me...I/F

"So SCC, I suggest to you as I have suggested to Fox 32 News, stop the half ass stories, learn the facts and since your the mainstream for communication in our department now, you owe it to those who read your blog some truthful info and not just bad rumors and hearsay.

"I dont belive it. To prove it I am going to say a lot of bad things in the car tonight. Im going to say a lot of very racist things, conspire to comit a felony and even worse against the government. I doubt anything will happen

Stay safe guys and gals. Love this board!

8/23/2009 09:21:00 AM"

Well, if all of the things you say are racist against whites, you're right: nothing will happen.

Don't know about voice recorders but I do know that a number of squad cars in Area 3 have had the GPS wires cut, or perhaps they wore out, and they are keeping an ET busy photographing the dangling GPS wires.

Seems to me if they are recording you without your knowledge wouldn't that be an illegal wiretap or illegal eavesdropping?

8/23/2009 12:25:00 AM

You have NO expectation of privacy in a DEPARTMENT CAR or DEPARTMENT LOCKER. They can record (audio and visual) you like its cool. Same way the department can cut your lock off of your locker and look through it. However, I do believe that they need a Search Warrant for a closed gym bag in the locker…

Anonymous said... Well now, if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't mind consenting to this search.

8/23/2009 09:26:00 AM

WHAT ARE YOU , SOFT AS A GRAPE? HOW MANY MORE RIGHTS DO YOU HAVE THAT ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY, BIT BY BIT? JUST LOOK AT THE CITY AND STATE SMOKING BAN, DID THEY BUILD PLACES FOR SOMEONE TO GO HAVE A SMOKE ANYWHERE, NO. DID THEY BAN CHARCOAL BARBEQUE GRILLS, WHICH EMIT MORE DAMAGING CARCENOGENIC SMOKE THAT A CARTON OF CIGARETTES FOR EACH BARBEQUE? DID THEY BAN THE FIREWORKS AT THE TASTE OF CHICAGO WHICH PUT A TRILLION MORE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN THE AIR ON ONE NIGHT THAN IF EVERYONE IN CHICAGO LIT UP A CIGARETTE AT ONCE ? NO, BECAUSE IT'S ALL BULLSHIT AND THEY DON'T CARE OR PRACTICE ANYTHING THEY PREACH, IT'S JUST FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE, NOT FOR PEOPLE LIKE KING DALEY TO OBEY. HE'S BLOWING OFF A MILLION DOLLARS PLUS OF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY AND POLUTING THE AIR FROM CHICAGO TO BOSTON, BUT CAN WE EVEN LIGHT UP A LOUSY CIGARETTE AT A SOX GAME, EVEN OUT ON THE WALKWAY RAMP, WITHOUT BEING HASSLED BY SOME RENT-A-COP STOOGE? NO. BUT ITS BUY TRHEIR OVERPRICED TICKETS, OVERPRICED PARKING, OVERPRICED FOOD, OVERPRICED BEER, OVERPRICED SOUVENIERS, AS LONG AS THE GREEDY DALEYS AND THEIR CHRONIES GET THEIR SHARE. WHAT A JOKE, BOYCOTT ALL THESE PHONY PRICKS. FUCK SHITCAGO, AND FUCK ALL WHO DON'T AGRE, YOU FUCKIN SHEEPLE...

You fuckin paranoid idiots! Listen, just always be aware df what you say at all times. Yea, there is a wire and a recorder in your car....your partner! Your friend today can be your enemy tomorrow. That's not new advice..that's old granpa advice that applies today. Voice recorders..gimme a fuckin break.

Anonymous said... I thought Illinois was a state where you need both parties consent to recorded their conversations? Obviously, a judge can superscede this if there's probable cause. I think they were pulling your leg.

8/23/2009 06:34:00 AM

Illinois is a state which protects the criminal. How do you protect a criminal? You do evil on the police and the working class.

I BELIEVE THE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED EVERYONE THAT VEHICLES RECORD SOUND AND VIDEO.

NOW THE TRICK WOULD BE IF YOU THOUGHT UR VEHICLE WAS NOT HOOKED UP 4 SOUND.

LET SAY OFFICER BAD GUY IS GIVEN AN OLD SHIT BOX AND THINKS HIS CAR NOT WIRED AND HAS NO GPS BUT IT DOES CAN THE CITY USE IT AGAINST HIM THE ANSWER IS YES BECAUSE UR SQUAD CAR HAS NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY. JUST LIKE UR EMAILS,BLACKBERRIES, LOCKERS, URINE , BLOOD ETC ETC WHILE ON DUTY.

FYI Boys and Girls....The Lt's got NOTHING as far as money offered to them in their contract proposal....The Captains got NOTHING as far as money offered to them either....The FOP "Supposedly" has a 10% offer on the table.....If we get 10-12% I would be happy at this point.....what a shitty contract....never in my career have I seen such a travesty. 10%/4 years.

SFPD copper here- My brother is a cop with an agency that has a recording system that's tied in with their in-car cameras. The recorder turns on when their emergency lights are activated, ostensibly to back up officers in case of a lawsuit brought against them. Might this be a similar system? Someone at your Fleet office should confirm what the mechanic said.

8/23/2009 12:26:00 PM

SFPD brother, it's the saame system. The same system that we were talking about when they started to install the cameras in the cars. When the emergency equipment is activated, it records all conversations in the car for a few minutes on each side of the equipment activation. It is really easy.. Talk in the car , like you would in roll call and you won't have any problems.

Anonymous said.... . . Why can't an officer under some disciplinary review ask to have his reviewer's blackberry transcripts to review for litigation. . . .

8/23/2009 01:34:00 AM

If it's a Department-owned Blackberry, file a Freedom of Information Request. If your request is denied, contact the Illinois AG's Office. They have attorneys there to help with FOID requests. Seriously, though, I doubt that any boss is going to put anything incriminating on a Blackberry, knowing that all that stuff is archived.

Anonymous said... For everyone who keeps attempting to quote the wiretapping statute, most of you are you right. Except for one thing, It only applys when there is an expectation of privacy. There isn't one when you are sitting in a police xar owned by the city. Also I beleive if the conversation was obtained illegally, it can't be used in a court of law, administartive hearings are different. It sounds like a good lawsuit waiting to be tested.8/23/2009 10:26:00 AM**********************************I think you are a little confused, "reasonable expectation of privacy," has nothing to do with eavesdropping. The term pertains mostly to consent searches by a third party.

Your post is too long and way too convoluted to even try to quote, but you better send that mail order law degree back and see if they will refund you money. It amazes me just how little understanding there is among most of you of the most basic law. You should be able to figuure out 2 thing: A-Who in the hell do you think is going to sit down and listen to all these recordings, and keep it a secret. Come on, at least some of you are smarter than that. B-If this were true and it was discovered, and it would be sooner or later anyone who is a party to it, either installing the devices, listening to them or diseminating any information gleaned would be guilty of, and easily prosecuted for a felony.

I am greatly inclined to say this is B.S., too. There is not a whole lot the department could do with such information and I venture to guess that if there were such mics, they work about as well and as often as the in-car cameras.

Nonetheless, be careful boys and girls. These ass-hats will take anything out of context if it has some benefit for Big Brother.

I just saw this topic. I can tell you first hand that this is true. I'm in one of the original 2 districts that had the camera's. When we would come in to see the W/C to get our arrest approved he would repeat to my partner and I our conversation that we had during our tour. This was in the crown vic. Be aware big brother is not only watching he's listening too.

Am not an authority on mechanics of cars, or wiretaps (legal or not). But had a good laugh from post 4:23pm. ... " Let's not forget a number of laws the city would be breaking by doing this".Please, stop & think, since when has the city worried about breaking the law. EVER...

Anonymous said... Anonymous said... For everyone who keeps attempting to quote the wiretapping statute, most of you are you right. Except for one thing, It only applys when there is an expectation of privacy. There isn't one when you are sitting in a police xar owned by the city. Also I beleive if the conversation was obtained illegally, it can't be used in a court of law, administartive hearings are different. It sounds like a good lawsuit waiting to be tested.8/23/2009 10:26:00 AM**********************************I think you are a little confused, "reasonable expectation of privacy," has nothing to do with eavesdropping. The term pertains mostly to consent searches by a third party.

8/23/2009 10:10:00 PM--------It has EVERYTHING to do with eavesdropping. Please do some reading about a subject before you post. You can start with KATZ V. UNITED STATES, 389 U.S. 347(1967)- US Supreme Court.

FYI Boys and Girls....The Lt's got NOTHING as far as money offered to them in their contract proposal....The Captains got NOTHING as far as money offered to them either....The FOP "Supposedly" has a 10% offer on the table.....If we get 10-12% I would be happy at this point.....what a shitty contract....never in my career have I seen such a travesty. 10%/4 years.

Relax will ya, nobody got a monetary offer, it can't be agreed upon and is the basis for arbitration, we will get retro, so take a breath. You may not have ever seen a contract this bad, then surely you've never seen a recession like this either; we are fortunate to be working, some departments have laid off officers, the private sector is terrible right now, everyone on here knows someone laid off or out of work , so chill and be happy for what you actually have! now go fuck yourself! but stay safe while doing so....

Read the law for yourselves:http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt.+14&ActID=1876&ChapAct=720%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B5%2F&ChapterID=53&ChapterName=CRIMINAL+OFFENSES&SectionID=60651&SeqStart=25300000&SeqEnd=26500000&ActName=Criminal+Code+of+1961.Link, then "find" eavesdropping.

Reminds me of a story that happened about ten years ago when the anarchist bookstore on Milwaukee was tossed and vandalized by skinhesds who mistook the anarchists for homosexuals. The anarchists did file a police report yet tried to save face by issuing a statement to the effect of "While we still believe the police represent the fascist state, we believe in this case that someone had to be made an example of."

I can't believe this topic and some of the comments. We are truly fucked. Any half-way competent criminals have it all over this keystone cops outfit. Now we're worried about full time voice recorders in the cars. We are fucked, the battle has been lost, the ship is sinking fast.

dont know about pearljam at the airport.... i know i have strawberryjam on my toast and i live near the airport. there was once a story about a wire being found hanging under the dash in the squad roll. about 14 years ago in 025. true? most stories coming out of 025th are taken to mythical status.

For everyone who keeps attempting to quote the wiretapping statute, most of you are you right. Except for one thing, It only applys when there is an expectation of privacy. There isn't one when you are sitting in a police xar owned by the city. Also I beleive if the conversation was obtained illegally, it can't be used in a court of law, administartive hearings are different. It sounds like a good lawsuit waiting to be tested.

8/23/2009 10:26:00 AM

No. If your "expectation of privacy" analysis been correct, then a special exemption to the law would not have been needed to allow for recording of, say, homicide interviews. You know, the ones that take place in rooms owned by the city.

The story is either a) bullshit, or b) extremely problematic for the city.

I'm not sure, but I don't think it would be illegal for the city to record inside the squad cars because the cars are city property. Although you certainly do have an expectation of privacy, you're not in your own vehicle. Just thinkin.

Just a note to my un-informed asshole brothers in blue gushing about Eddie Vedder at the airport: After you're done fawning all over this no talent piece of shit compose yourself just long enough too thank him for being Mumia Abu Jamal's biggest supporter. And after you've gotten his autograph say a prayer for his victim, murdered Philadelphia PO Daniel Faulkner.

I just saw this topic. I can tell you first hand that this is true. I'm in one of the original 2 districts that had the camera's. When we would come in to see the W/C to get our arrest approved he would repeat to my partner and I our conversation that we had during our tour. This was in the crown vic. Be aware big brother is not only watching he's listening too.

8/24/2009 12:09:00 AM

If this were the case why weren't you the first one to bring this to everyone's attention. Or is it possible that you had uploaded the video and for whatever reason (new equipment) let's see how this stuff works was the W/C's mindset..... Whatever the case, like some have said if you don't want anyone to know about it, don't talk about it in the car...This was attitude before in-car camera even came around...Non-Issue...

Just a note to my un-informed asshole brothers in blue gushing about Eddie Vedder at the airport: After you're done fawning all over this no talent piece of shit compose yourself just long enough too thank him for being Mumia Abu Jamal's biggest supporter. And after you've gotten his autograph say a prayer for his victim, murdered Philadelphia PO Daniel Faulkner.

Every couple of years this rumor pops up. It has never been substantiated (check spelling). In fact it has been addressed in the past by FlOP and has been unfounded. It would be in violation of the law as well as the contract. You cannot be secretly recorded without a search warrant, period. There is, in new model vehicles, an onboard computer, similar to a black box on an airplane, that will collect data in the event of a crash. Speed, what type of forces were at play, were seatbelts fastened, etc. This could be what the mmd guys were talking about.

All these fools spouting off about laws and constitutional rights, and they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.

The misinformation on this blog is mindboggling.

Please tell me that my fellow workers are not as stupid as these posts would indicate they are.

For God's sake, people cannot have audio conversations recorded in Illinois unless BOTH parties consent, there is a court order, or some NOTICE that the conversation is being recorded. Homicide interrogations are a very specific exception to this rule.

Please tell me your smarter than this.

To moron who keeps quoting US Supreme Court cases...these cases have NOTHING to do with Illinois' RESTRICTION on eavesdropping. Federal law is much more lax on recording. Only one party needs to consent. Illinois law CAN BE AND IS more restrictive than Federal law would allow.

We have run into this before. I was informed that there is case law that states we have no right to privacy in a squad car. So long as the dept. notifies you that the capability is there, then they are not in violation of the Il. eavesdropping laws. It sucks, but big brother is now always watching and listening to us.

wiretap law DOES NOT apply in this situation. if this is ever challenged, it's not going anywhere. when you are on duty-your expectation of privacy GOES out the door. don't think this will be use to jam people, but just be aware that it is there.

Well that's reassuring... Bet you are one of the guys who is always whining, "iad only fucks with the working coppers!" Moron.

relax dipshit, making a point, btw, I probably forgot more police work (real police work) than you remember, stfu rookie and see my statement for what its worth. THIS IS A LIE, ILLEGAL AND, BULLSHIT. and yes If it were true ALOT of us GOOD WORKING REAL COPPERS would of already taken alot of time. and no I havent commited crimes onduty if your taking my statement literally. know your rights and the law, then maybe half of you on this board wouldnt beleive every new bullshit rumour that pops up here every few days. Hey just heard another one, were getting a 30% raise, just read it in the suntimes. Some moron will throw that around now for a few days wasting bandwith. regards.

I have to say, I don't doubt this story one bit. I've often presumed I was being listened to in the unmarked. When I worked at Area 3 eleven years ago, there was no denying the office phones were being tapped. You could hear the beeps on occasion. Just watch what you say, boys and girls...the rules seem to be different for you, you have no freedom of speech or right to your own opinions. Remember the firefighter and his comments about the cheeseheads? They ARE listening and SCC is doing you a service by bringing it to your attention---listen or not. But if I were you, I would definitely WATCH what I said in those vehicles.

this is what is called Eavesdropping and is Illegal by State Law. You must be informed and give consent, any time your conversation is being recorded. An individual havs the right to privacy by the U.S. Constitution, State, and Federal Laws.

Actually it can be (and probably is by the slime bag Corp Counsil)being called a BACK UP SYSTEM to the Initial Recording Device. I know a few ways to sweep the car for bugs (and not the ones the offenders leave behind) prior to leaving to the street. Audio recording devices(especially WIRELESS ONES) emit an RF signal. This signal is EASILY picked up by lets say a SONY WATCH MAN TV or other small TV device. Scroll thru channels 2-7 SLOWLY and watch the screen for activity between normal channels. If you GET activity. VIOLA! you are being listened to.I know of 5 ways to DEFEAT that device but Im sure the SCC wont be kind enough to let me post that.Suffice to say they CAN and probably ARE listening to every word,sneeze,burp and fart.

I was there at Motor Maintenance as well. The mechanic told me that if you stop, put the car in neutral, then reverse then low drive, open the glove box, turn on the heat (blower on the second mark) slide the seat from front to back twice, unlock the passenger rear door and click your heels together and blink three times the car will become a hovercraft and lift you straight up and deposit you on the funny farm which is where anybody who buys this story belongs.

There may be some validity to this fiasco...I keyed my spare radio and was broadcasting through the speakers. I got out of the tahoe and then keyed up my radio...it seemed as if the transmissions were being reverbed through the car. Only happened on the tahoe...not the other cars. Yea...something is definately not right....so I'm gonna watch what I say. My FTO years ago...many many years ago once told me..Kid you want to keep something a secret...then don't say anything to anybody. Just pretend your not alone. Do your job, do it right...you want to speak yopur mind...do it on your own time. Just be safe, do your job, grab that check and retire with your health...live long enough to stick it to em!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...OT - On Friday two exempt said that plans are in the works for no more take home M plate vehicles. Supposedly starting with commanders and working its way around the department.

8/24/2009 03:00:00 AMI hear the same from city hall. Scc lit a fire under them after the CTA article appeared. FOX News made a freedom of information request about the civilians on the CPD with the take home police cars.

Gettlemen, I think you are a little confused, every car maker has a so called black box in the car, it records what the car was doing, say at the time of the crash, how the brakes were applied, when the air bags deployed, back in the day a 14th district cop, Johnnie Lyons was with a PPO and had a bad crash going very fast, he was killed and the car was at area 3 garage, impounded waiting for the black box to be pulled out so G.M could take it and examine what happended, I don't think it has anything to do with cameras and such.every car nowadays has this so called black box.

I can't tell you folks who I am because then the poweres to be will mess with me, but in early September a whole lot of people wil be losing their take home cars, this will apply to exempts that don't have 24 hour call out duties, ADS lodding from the academy is losing his, many bosses in these units thaqt are 9-5 are losing them, also I've heard that Gang enforcement boys and narcoitcs folks who drive unmakred are losing them, I don't know if it applies to the rental covert cars, but it stands to reason if you don't get called out, drive your own car, sure itsa nice perk, but we all need a raise and as the mayor says, the police and fire need to get in the boat too, so to all your prima donnas, kiss them wheels goodbye. i've seen too too many po's and admin people with cars for too too long, whin you little crybabbies.

Hey Phil Schitz-How do you know they don't have recording devices all over city hall? The Feds had recording devices in their favorite booth at their favorite restaurant for years, remember? Who's to say they just haven't just changed their locale?

Anonymous said... Gettlemen, I think you are a little confused, every car maker has a so called black box in the car, it records what the car was doing, say at the time of the crash, how the brakes were applied, when the air bags deployed, back in the day a 14th district cop, Johnnie Lyons was with a PPO and had a bad crash going very fast, he was killed and the car was at area 3 garage, impounded waiting for the black box to be pulled out so G.M could take it and examine what happended, I don't think it has anything to do with cameras and such.every car nowadays has this so called black box.

I can't tell you folks who I am because then the poweres to be will mess with me, but in early September a whole lot of people wil be losing their take home cars, this will apply to exempts that don't have 24 hour call out duties, ADS lodding from the academy is losing his, many bosses in these units thaqt are 9-5 are losing them, also I've heard that Gang enforcement boys and narcoitcs folks who drive unmakred are losing them, I don't know if it applies to the rental covert cars, but it stands to reason if you don't get called out, drive your own car, sure itsa nice perk, but we all need a raise and as the mayor says, the police and fire need to get in the boat too, so to all your prima donnas, kiss them wheels goodbye. i've seen too too many po's and admin people with cars for too too long, whin you little crybabbies.

8/24/2009 11:25:00 PM

Signed, an administrative bitch at HQ that is about to lose his/her car.

The story about the wires dangling from beneath the dash of a wagon is true-however it was the 016th District wagon. The day crew discovered it. My neighbor thought they were following him when having his two hour lunch at home everyday in Edison Park! It was part of the investigation into ripping off the Polish by Steve Miller, Petruzzi, et al. Back in 025 those seven dogs were informerly known as "The Magnificent Seven" and all sought refuge in 016 after the heat was turned-up on them in of all places-025! No myth here. Just honest Italian-American coppers doing waht they seem to do best!

Just a note to my un-informed asshole brothers in blue gushing about Eddie Vedder at the airport: After you're done fawning all over this no talent piece of shit compose yourself just long enough too thank him for being Mumia Abu Jamal's biggest supporter. And after you've gotten his autograph say a prayer for his victim, murdered Philadelphia PO Daniel Faulkner.

--------

The names of these officers MUST be disclosed.

This is beyond disgraceful.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

along the same lines, Ben and Jerrys ice cream is also a HUGE backer of this murderous piece of shit. They have been backing Mumia for a long time. They are opening a store on 111th street across from Mt Greenwood park. Seems like a good place to have a boycott to me.